787 thought to be about to make electrical system test flight

Sat, 2013-03-30 18:08

Later this afternoon (March 30) Boeing is expected to conduct a 787 test flight of LN86, otherwise known as ZA272. However, Aviation Week understands this is not the much-anticipated certification demonstration flight for the modified battery system which is currently anticipated in the next few days. What will be tested today remains unknown. However sources indicate the sortie is aimed at certification testing of other changes to the 787’s electrical system and back-up flight deck displays. These changes could be related to possible improvements to the electrical panel system made in the wake of the string of failures (P100/200 main power distribution panels) which occurred in the second half of 2012. The first P100-related incident forced a flight test crew to divert to Laredo, Texas during certification in November 2010.